Kontraktova Square

The former Greek Monastery on the square (center). The building currently hosts the city branch of the National Bank.

Kontraktova Square or Kontraktovaya Square (Ukrainian: Контрактова площа, translit.: Kontraktova ploscha; Russian: Контрактовая площадь, translit.: Kontraktovaya ploschad’; literally: Contracts Square) is a square in the historic Podil neighborhood of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. The square is an important economic, cultural, and transport center of the Podil, containing numerous architectural and historical monuments.

History

Main entrance to the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

Kontraktova Square is known since the Kievan Rus' times as an important part of the Podil merchant neighborhood.^[1] The square lies in between the Andriyivskyy Descent, Sahaidachny, Pokrivska, Florivska, Prytisko-Mykilska, Kostiantynivska, Mezhyhirska, Spaska, Skovorody and Ilynska streets.^[1][2]

The construction of the Contracts House, a permanent trading center where contracts were signed, at the end of the 18th century gave the square its current name.^[1][2] During 1748-1749, the Fountain of Samson was built to repair the water distribution system of the area^[3] to a design by Ukrainian architect Ivan Hryhorovych-Barskyi.^[2] The compound of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, one of Ukraine's leading universities dating back to 16th century,^[4] adjoins the square.^[1]

In the 1970s, archaeological works conducted by the Institute of Archaeology of the Ukrainian SSR were done on the square, as well as reconstructions of the square's main constructions.

The square was renamed several times during its history: between 1869-1919, the square was named Aleksandrovskaya Square (Alexander Square) in honour of the Russian emperor Alexander II; between 1919-1944 - Krasnaya Square (Red Square), dedicated to Communism; between 1945 and the 1950s, it was renamed back to Kontraktova, although Krasnaya continued to be widely used; in 1990, the original name was re-established.^[2]

Modern square

The Gostynyi Dvir building with the monument to Petro Konashevych-Sahaidachny.

Two Kiev tram cars on the square, seen with the roofs of the St. Andrew's Church in the background.

Inside the Kontraktova Ploshcha Metro Station.

Today, the Kontraktova Square is an important center of the Podil neighborhood, and also a recreational, cultural and transportation point of the city.

The square is often used for various outdoor public festivities, including music concerts and fairs. The Petro Sahaidachnyi Street which leads to the square is limited to pedestrians on weekends.

Buildings and structures

Listed clockwise from the Sahaidachnyi Street:

• Monument to Petro Konashevych-Sahaidachny, a Cossack Hetman;
• Gostynyi Dvir building, 19th century;^[5]
• Contracts House, where contracts were signed;^[6]
• Fountain of Samson, reconstructed architectural monument;
• Children's Musical Theater;
• Monument to Hryhoriy Skovoroda, a poet, philosopher, and composer;
• Compound of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (including Soros Center for Contemporary Art in the corner building);
• Building of the National Bank's city branch (formerly the "Greek Monastery");
• Church of the Mother of God Pyrohoschya.

Transportation center

Kontraktova Square is one of the largest and oldest transit points of the Kiev tram system, end stop for to several tram routes. However, tram lines crossing the square are being gradually phased out since 1980s.

Most importantly, Kontraktova Square adjoins the Kiev Metro Kontraktova Ploshcha Station ( Kurenivsko-Chervonoarmiyska Line), thus forming a multi-modal passenger knot with the tram and minibus lines. The station has a sub-surface design with four entrances, two of them being outside the square.^[7]

References and footnotes

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Kudrytskyi, A. (1981). Kyiv, Encyclopedic Directory. Kiev: Ukrainian Soviet Encyclopedia. pp. 306–7. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "Kontraktova Ploshcha" (in Ukrainian). Wiki-Encyclopedia Kiev. http://wek.kiev.ua/uk/Контрактова_площа. Retrieved 2007-12-13. 
3. ^ Hewryk, Titus D. (1982). The Lost Architecture of Kiev. New York: The Ukrainian Museum. ASIN: B0006E9KPQ. http://oldkyiv.kiev.ua/index2.htm.  (Out of print)
4. ^ "HISTORY OF NaUKMA" (in English). National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. http://www.ukma.kiev.ua/eng_site/en/about/history/index.php. Retrieved 2007-12-13. 
5. ^ Zharikov, N. L., ed (1983-1986). "Gostiniy Dvor, 1809-1833 yrs." (in Russian). Monuments of urban development and architecture in the Ukrainian SSR. 1-4.. Kiev: Budivel'nyk. p. 28. LCCN 84-179019. http://ua.vlasenko.net/_pgs/pgs-html/pgs1-028.html. Retrieved 2007-12-13. 
6. ^ Zharikov, N. L., ed (1983-1986). "Kontraktovyi Dom, 1815-1817 yrs." (in Russian). Monuments of urban development and architecture in the Ukrainian SSR. 1-4.. Kiev: Budivel'nyk. p. 28. LCCN 84-179019. http://ua.vlasenko.net/_pgs/pgs-html/pgs1-088.html. Retrieved 2007-12-13. 
7. ^ "Station "Kontraktova Ploshcha"" (in Ukrainian). Kyivskyi Metropoliten. Archived from the original on 2008-01-01. http://web.archive.org/web/20080101090802/http://www.metro.kiev.ua/ua/about/stations/kur-cher/chapter1064. Retrieved 2007-12-13. 

Coordinates: 50°27′50″N 30°31′5″E / 50.46389°N 30.51806°E / 50.46389; 30.51806